the official ECOBAK thread...

Jon, I just started using ecobak. I am wondering if both PO4 and NO3 are required to remove either. Right now I have no NO3, but my P04 is high. Not sure if the algea is using up the NO3, but either way I need to know if ecobak will work in my situation.

This algea is killing me and needs to go!

 

It's doubtful your NO3 is really zero. If your NO3 really is low the solution is simple. Run GFO for a temporary period then pull it out and let ecoBAK take over. There is ALWAYS NO3 being produced in an aquarium so you will have the ecoBAK removing PO4 and NO3.

 

Jon I started using Ecobak on 08-23-12 at full amount around 450ml for 90ish gallons with the tank and sump included.

I have used other products that teh pellets seemed to stick togther real bad and just gum up after about 4 weeks do the ecobak pellets do the same?

I am running the reactor wit ha mag 7 that is split to it and a UV light.

TYIA

 

ecoBAK doesn't have sticking/clumping issues past the first week or so. Just make sure you're running a nice slow tumble and you'll be all set.

 

Just for an update on my pellets. I have been using them for about 2 months now, maybe a little longer and i cant say for sure if it is the pellets but i have a leather coral about the size of a baseball that i have had for years and have never been able to get it to really open up for me no matter what i did. The past few days i have seen parts of it really opening up and last night when i got home the entire things was open and looking better then it ever has before.

 

That's great news...

 

Been running 1500ml of EcoBak for about 4 weeks now. Nitrates and phosphates still high. I'm pretty sure it's starting to kick in. The water is much clearer than usual. I'm not running any GAC. Also, the skimmer has been pulling out some funky smelling skimmate.

 

4 weeks is when we start to see it drop... let me know how the numbers drop. And isn't it amazing how ecoBAK turns the water so clear??

 

Jon, will definitely let you know how the numbers drop. I added Ecobak to my 300 FOWLR system since I won't be able to do water changes for about 3 months due to achilles rupture surgery. Right before surgery on aug 31, my nitrates were between 80-100 according to salifert test kit. My phosphates are high. Most likely over 2.50 since the hanna maxes out at 2.50. My normal routine before surgery was 40 gallon weekly water changes.

Yes it definitely is amazing how clear the water became with Ecobak. I stopped running GAC since I won't be able to change it out while on crutches. Before starting Ecobak my water wasn't as clear due to no GAC. Now it's as clear as if I was running GAC.

 

Jon your commitment to this thread and product are commendable, I'm going to use ecoBAK because of it.

I'm about a month away from building out a 450g display that will be about 600g total volume (the 70g frag tank will be added last and not for several months), the system will be a mixed reef. I'll be starting with dry rock and will be moving over only my favorite pieces from what I currently have in my 200g system and selling the rest. This will be done over several weeks / months as I want to re-quarantine, over the period of several months.

What volume of ecoBAK would you recommend on the new system and what reactor would you recommend? As I'll be starting off with no initial bio-load in the system and adding very slowly does it matter if I just put in all the pellets right at the beginning? I'm assuming that the reason to start slow is not to change parameters too quickly for inhabitants but that really isn't an issue for me as my 200g is already running a different brand of bio-pellets (you've won me over with this thread) and is at comparable levels.

One added twist, the reason for the upgrade is that we are moving to a new house so the plan is to take my favorite pieces to the new house, set them up in the 70g, build out the 450g and when ready slowly start moving the livestock over onto the dry rock. Thankfully the move is only about 20 miles but the livestock does have to re-establish itself in the 70g before going to the 450g. I don't think that matters to your answer but wanted to provide it just in case.